The panel was formed and Meek, the CAC's District 7 representative, as named to head it at the commission's Nov. 1 meeting.

The committee came into existence "to identify various safety and crime issues and assist the commission in its advisory role with the city of Columbus," Meek wrote in an email sent out to community residents two weeks later to round up people interested in serving on the panel.

"The purpose of the meeting will be to have an open dialogue about the safety and crime matters facing our community and how this committee can make a positive impact," he wrote in a subsequent email regarding the Dec. 17 gathering.